Motriz: Revista de Educacao Fisica (Sep 2014)

Longitudinal intra- and inter-individual variability in young swimmers' performance and determinant competition factors

  • Jorge Estrela Morais,
  • Mario J. Costa,
  • Pedro Forte,
  • Mario C. Marques,
  • Antonio J. Silva,
  • Daniel A. Marinho,
  • Tiago M. Barbosa

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-65742014000300008
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20, no. 3
pp. 292 – 302

Abstract

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The main purpose of this study was to follow-up the intra- and inter-individual variability of young swimmers' performance and determinant factors over two competitive seasons. Thirty young swimmers (14 boys: 12.33±0.65 years-old; 16 girls: 11.15±0.55 years-old) were followed-up throughout two consecutive seasons (seven evaluation moments). Performance (100m freestyle), anthropometric, kinematic, hydrodynamic and efficiency features were evaluated. A gender and skill-level effect was observed. Boys improved in a higher amount (%) comparing to girls. Overall, swimmers in skill-level 2 (both genders) presented a higher intra-individual variability. Performance and anthropometrics showed a significant inter-individual variability in most moments, but hydrodynamics, kinematics and efficiency did not. Within each skill-level hydrodynamics, kinematics and efficiency were the variables that showed a high inter-individual variability. As a gender and skill-level effect was noticed in an age-group of young swimmers, coaches and practitioners should put the focus in specific and customized training plans for each skill-level of swimmers.

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